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Martin Ferris TD disappointed with fishing quota deal

Sinn Féin spokesman on the marine, Martin Ferris TD, has echoed the statement of his colleague Liadh Ní Riada MEP on her disappointment at the fishing quota deal secured by Minister Simon Coveney.

Deputy Ferris said:

“While the government is spinning that Simon Coveney did well for Ireland at the fisheries negotiations, much of the so-called increase is to cover the new ban on discards and not because the government stood up for the Irish fishing industry.

“I am glad there is a ten per cent increase in whitefish, amounting to 36,886 tonnes, but while we have to be aware of the maximum sustainable yield to protect stocks, more could have been done for Ireland.

“There is now a bi-lateral agreement between Norway and the EU which the Council agreed, where Norway gets 400,000 tonnes of blue whiting quota, the majority of which will come from Irish waters.”

Deputy Ferris also welcomed an increase in prawn quota but pointed to the call of his Sinn Féin colleague, Liada Ní Riada MEP for a blue fin tuna quota, which Minister Coveney ignored.